<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPULAR, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         719,681
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          47,501
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               789,592
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               337,300
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  6,938,363
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         311,914
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           307,553
<LOANS>                                     14,097,081
<ALLOWANCE>                                    288,382
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,275,583
<DEPOSITS>                                  13,770,048
<SHORT-TERM>                                 6,452,102
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            431,262
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,934,361
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       827,045
<OTHER-SE>                                     750,277
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              24,275,583
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,011,067
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              316,581
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                38,480
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,366,128
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             334,273
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             652,247
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          713,881
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  109,482
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 775
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                623,692
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                255,474
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     191,851
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   191,851
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.69
<LOANS-NON>                                    305,243
<LOANS-PAST>                                    25,028
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                154,751
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               267,249
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  131,576
<RECOVERIES>                                    42,902
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              288,382
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           260,999
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             27,383
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0